Celebrity breakfast aids Herkimer Co. Historical Society

Families and friends of local celebrity waiters and waitresses gathered at the third annual Herkimer County Historical Society Hot Cakes Breakfast at the Knights Inn of Little Falls Wednesday morning to support their favorite servers and give back to the historical society. The goal of the breakfast is to raise m...

Families and friends of local celebrity waiters and waitresses gathered at the third annual Herkimer County Historical Society Hot Cakes Breakfast at the Knights Inn of Little Falls Wednesday morning to support their favorite servers and give back to the historical society.

The goal of the breakfast is to raise money for the historical society, a nonprofit organization that has been preserving and sharing Herkimer County’s history since 1896.

During the breakfast, servers waited on the diners’ every need and all the tips given to them for their service was donated to the historical society.

Herkimer County Historical Society Executive Director Sue Perkins said all of the proceeds raised during the breakfast will benefit the historical society.

“This year we tried to think of some other ways to help fundraise and we have an Italian cookie raffle, as well as the opportunity for breakfast goers to have their picture taken with their favorite server for $5. We also have a best costume contest where people can take the time to vote for their favorite server’s costume,” she said.

The winner of the costume contest was Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Scarano who dressed up as Benjamin Franklin.

“The breakfast has been a lot of fun and there is a lot of competition between servers, but overall everyone has kicked in to help and we’re grateful for their support,” Perkins added.

This year’s fundraiser breakfast raised $3,600, with Herkimer County Legislator Gary Hartman raising the most amount of tips for a total of $380. Only dollars behind him were attorney Joseph Cirillo with $373 and Scarano with $372.

Last year Cirillo raised the most tip donations and earned the title of head celebrity server for this year’s breakfast. At the breakfast press conference at the beginning of the month, Cirillo challenged all the other serves to try and beat his competitive streak. During the breakfast Cirillo said he believed the other servers firmly stepped up to the challenge.

“So far the breakfast is not going good for me, the other servers listened and I’m up against some stiff competition from everybody. Besides the competitive part I’m having a good time. The breakfast is a lot of fun and I hope we can raise more than last year. I know the day-to-day struggles of nonprofit groups and events like this one can really help,” he said.

“This is my first time attending the breakfast and the food is delicious,” said Sophie Jouben, operation specialist for The United Way of the Mohawk Valley and Greater Utica Area. “The breakfast is really fun and I’ve been smiling so much that my jaw hurts. I’m planning on coming back for the event every year.”

Lisa Enea, who sat at Herkimer County Coroner and funeral director Harry Enea’s table, said she really enjoyed the breakfast. “The food was excellent and the breakfast was a lot of fun. I especially liked seeing the waiters in their costumes, including our favorite waiter Harry, who dressed up as a zombie,” she said.

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“When we first started serving at 7:30 a.m. the room just filled up and it’s been a steady crowd since. It’s nice to see people helping out the historical society,” said Dolgeville Mayor Bruce Lyon.

“It really has been a great turnout and everyone is having a good time said,” said Frankfort Mayor Frank Moracco. “I love to do this for fun and it’s also a good cause.”

Kwick-Kut Manufacturing Co. owner Mary Morse said she has been part of the historical society breakfast since the start.

“I always come back to help because it’s a fun thing to do and it really draws in a lot of people who give up their time to help a great cause,” she said.